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The Human Family Tree

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  • A volunteer swabs her cheek for DNA sample to participate in National Geographic's Genographic Project. Her DNA will be used for a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells, renowned international scientists, and IBM researchers. The Genographic Project aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.
  • On the most diverse street in the most diverse city in the world, a team of National Geographic scientists swab the cheeks of close to 200 random New Yorkers. Their DNA will be used in National Geographic's Genographic Project, a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells, renowned international scientists, and IBM researchers. The project aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.
  • On the most diverse street in the most diverse city in the world, a team of National Geographic scientists swab the cheeks of close to 200 random New Yorkers. Their DNA will be used in National Geographic's Genographic Project, a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells, renowned international scientists, and IBM researchers. The project aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.
  • Dr. Spencer Wells is a leading population geneticist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence who spearheaded The Genographic Project. As Director, his hope for the project is to capture an invaluable genetic snapshot of humanity before modern-day influences erase it forever. Here, he explains the project to residents of Astoria who are participating in the DNA testing.
  • Kerry Nicholson Gonzales, her husband Jorge Gonzales, and their baby, Lheo, eagerly wait for their DNA test results. Results show that Carrie's ancestry can be most recently traced to Europe. Jorge is a result of genes that had been separated by thousands and thousands of years - his ancestors were from both Europe and the Americas.
  • Kriengkrai Tangchitsumra, a chef from Thailand, was profiled for
  • Michelle DeJesus was profiled for
  • 27-year old Dave Reed, a budding fashion model/actor/artist, was profiled for
  • Irish musician, Eamon Tuama, is profiled for
  • REENACTMENT: When our ancestors settled in the mountains of central Asia around 40,000 years ago, these mountains were an oasis. Following the grasslands to this region from the middle east, climate was shifting between cold and relatively warmer periods. Through all of the climate changes, however, the high mountain peaks provided a steady and vital resource - water.
  • REENACTMENT: Human populations in the mountains of central Asia retreated to their mountain base during harsh periods of cold, stitching together clothing and building shelters. As sunlight became scarce in the northern latitudes of central Asia, humans began to adapt and skin color gradually began to lose pigmentation and lighten around 40,000 years ago.
  • Scientific Eve, who lived somewhere between Eastern or Southern Africa 150-200,000 years ago, is the oldest root of our female genetic family tree.
  • REENACTMENT: Modern humans set out to reach new continents and around 45,000 years ago by land and by sea. Here, they arrive in Australia on a raft.
  • The Aeta, an indigenous group of small-statured, curly haired, dark skinned people who number only about 20-thousand strong, reveal details about where people went--and stayed--during early human migration. The oldest genetic lineages that were found in the Aeta tell the story of the first people to settle in the Philippians. Their ancestors walked to the islands when sea levels were low, and when the Ice Age began waning about 11,000 years ago they got cut off from the rest of the world.
  • The Aeta, an indigenous group of small-statured, curly haired, dark skinned people who number only about 20-thousand strong, reveal details about where people went and stayed, during early human migration. The oldest genetic lineages that were found in the Aeta tell the story of the first people to settle in the Philippians. Their ancestors walked to the islands when sea levels were low, and when the Ice Age began waning about 11,000 years ago they got cut off from the rest of the world.
  • Geneticist Spencer Wells works with Hadzabe chief, Julius Indayo, to record the Hadzabe's ancient survival strategies in order to preserve them for future generations. The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree. They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago, and today are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.
  • Hollowed Baobab tree trunks are traditionally used as places where Hadzabe give birth. The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree. They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago. Today the Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.
  • DNA from Hadzabe women were tested as part of the Genographic Project. The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree. They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago. Today the Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.
  • Hadzabe man with bow and arrow. The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree. They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago. Today the Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.
  • Hadzabe chief Julius Indayo explains the Hadzabe's ancient survival techniques to Dr. Spencer Wells, hoping to preserve them for future generations. The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree. They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago. Today the Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.
  • REENACTMENT:
  • San matriarch living in Green Kalahari whose DNA was tested as part of the Genographic Project. The San Bushmen of Southern Africa are universally accepted as the world's oldest genetically distinct population of humans, whose DNA markers connect them to Scientific Eve. The Genographic Project used DNA from the San to help pinpoint some of humanity's earliest movements in Africa.
  • On the most diverse street in the most diverse city in the world, a team of National Geographic scientists swab the cheeks of close to 200 random New Yorkers. Their DNA will be used in National Geographic's Genographic Project, a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells, renowned international scientists, and IBM researchers. The project aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.
  • Necla Demerci and her husband Mehmet came to New York about three years ago from Turkey. DNA results reveal that Necla's ancestors left Africa about 50,000 years ago wen the African drought momentarily let up, moving into Eurasia. Mehmet discovered that half the people who carry his genetic marker are Ashkenazi Jews.
  • Irish musician Eamon Tuama, and his Korean partner, Hanna Choi, have been together for nearly four years, but Choy's family has prevented them from taking things any further. Tuama hopes that their DNA may reveal that their ancestors may have crossed paths at some point along the way.
  • George Delis, an immigrant from Greece, has lived in New York almost his entire life. Recently retired, Delis was a district manager for the neighborhood of Astoria for almost 30 years. Delis' DNA results suggest humans did not cross the Bering land bridge until about 14,000 years ago at the earliest.
  • New Yorkers who participated in the Genographic Project gather in a park just across the river from Manhattan to hear the results from their DNA tests. The Genographic team separates the crowd into five groups, each given corresponding colored flags, according to their most recent ancestors' geographic locations. Here, they converge in

  • Genetic Testing

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    A volunteer swabs her cheek for DNA sample to participate in National Geographic's Genographic Project. Her DNA will be used for a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells, renowned international scientists, and IBM researchers.  The Genographic Project aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.

  • Swabbing For DNA

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    On the most diverse street in the most diverse city in the world, a team of National Geographic scientists swab the cheeks of close to 200 random New Yorkers.  Their DNA will be used in National Geographic's Genographic Project, a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells, renowned international scientists, and IBM researchers.  The project aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.

  • Queens Melting Pot

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    On the most diverse street in the most diverse city in the world, a team of National Geographic scientists swab the cheeks of close to 200 random New Yorkers.  Their DNA will be used in National Geographic's Genographic Project, a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells, renowned international scientists, and IBM researchers.  The project aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.

  • Genetics Warrior

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    Dr. Spencer Wells is a leading population geneticist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence who spearheaded The Genographic Project.  As Director, his hope for the project is to capture an invaluable genetic snapshot of humanity before modern-day influences erase it forever.  Here, he explains the project to residents of Astoria who are participating in the DNA testing.

  • A Family's History

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    Kerry Nicholson Gonzales, her husband Jorge Gonzales, and their baby, Lheo, eagerly wait for their DNA test results.  Results show that Carrie's ancestry can be most recently traced to Europe.  Jorge is a result of genes that had been separated by thousands and thousands of years - his ancestors were from both Europe and the Americas.

  • Asian Family Settlers

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    Kriengkrai Tangchitsumra, a chef from Thailand, was profiled for "The Human Family Tree."  His DNA reveals that his ancestors took part in the settling of Asia.  Tangchitsumra's DNA markers show that his ancestors moved eastward out of Africa, following a cold, inland route, and lived in isolation somewhere in China some 1,000 years before heading to the south of Asia.

  • Detailing DNA Markers

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    Michelle DeJesus was profiled for "The Human Family Tree."  Growing up a New Yorker with Puerto Rican roots caused a bit of an identity crisis for DeJesus, now a fourth grade teacher and part-time professor.  DNA markers reveal that her ancestors originated in Asia and later set foot in the Americas as early as 20,000 years ago, far before Columbus, making them some of the very first Americans.

  • Tracing His Roots

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    27-year old Dave Reed, a budding fashion model/actor/artist, was profiled for "The Human Family Tree."  Reed can trace some of his ancestry back to the mountains of central Asia, along with about 50% of all European men.  Reed's roots, along with 35% of all African-American men, trace back to European lineages.

  • Eamon Tuama

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    Irish musician, Eamon Tuama, is profiled for "The Human Family Tree."  His DNA was tested for National Geographic's Genographic Project, a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells that aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.

  • Living Near Water

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    REENACTMENT:  When our ancestors settled in the mountains of central Asia around 40,000 years ago, these mountains were an oasis.  Following the grasslands to this region from the middle east, climate was shifting between cold and relatively warmer periods.  Through all of the climate changes, however, the high mountain peaks provided a steady and vital resource - water.

  • Skin Tones Changing

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    REENACTMENT: Human populations in the mountains of central Asia retreated to their mountain base during harsh periods of cold, stitching together clothing and building shelters.  As sunlight became scarce in the northern latitudes of central Asia, humans began to adapt and skin color gradually began to lose pigmentation and lighten around 40,000 years ago.

  • Scientific Eve

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    Scientific Eve, who lived somewhere between Eastern or Southern Africa 150-200,000 years ago, is the oldest root of our female genetic family tree.

  • Early Forms of Travel

    Photograph by Isham Randolph/NGT

    REENACTMENT: Modern humans set out to reach new continents and around 45,000 years ago by land and by sea.  Here, they arrive in Australia on a raft.

  • Indigenous Group

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    The Aeta, an indigenous group of small-statured, curly haired, dark skinned people who number only about 20-thousand strong, reveal details about where people went--and stayed--during early human migration.  The oldest genetic lineages that were found in the Aeta tell the story of the first people to settle in the Philippians.  Their ancestors walked to the islands when sea levels were low, and when the Ice Age began waning about 11,000 years ago they got cut off from the rest of the world.

  • Ancient People

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    The Aeta, an indigenous group of small-statured, curly haired, dark skinned people who number only about 20-thousand strong, reveal details about where people went and stayed, during early human migration.  The oldest genetic lineages that were found in the Aeta tell the story of the first people to settle in the Philippians.  Their ancestors walked to the islands when sea levels were low, and when the Ice Age began waning about 11,000 years ago they got cut off from the rest of the world.

  • Recording History

    Photograph by Isham Randolph/NGT

    Geneticist Spencer Wells works with Hadzabe chief, Julius Indayo, to record the Hadzabe's ancient survival strategies in order to preserve them for future generations.  The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree.  They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago, and today are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.

  • Baobab Birthing Place

    Photograph by Chad Cohen/NGT

    Hollowed Baobab tree trunks are traditionally used as places where Hadzabe give birth.  The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree.  They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago.  Today the Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.

  • Hadzabe Generations

    Photograph by Jim Ball/NGT

    DNA from Hadzabe women were tested as part of the Genographic Project.  The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree.  They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago.  Today the Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.

  • A Hunter-Gatherer

    Photograph by Isham Randolph/NGT

    Hadzabe man with bow and arrow.  The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree.  They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago.  Today the Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.

  • Culture Preservation

    Photograph by Isham Randolph/NGT

    Hadzabe chief Julius Indayo explains the Hadzabe's ancient survival techniques to Dr. Spencer Wells, hoping to preserve them for future generations.  The Hadzabe, who live about 15-hundred miles north of the San near Tanzania's Serengeti, are the first branch in the human family tree.  They split from the founding population (the San) around 150,000 years ago.  Today the Hadzabe are one of the last groups of hunter-gatherers on Earth.

  • Scientific Adam

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    REENACTMENT: "Scientific Adam," who lived in Africa 60,000 years ago.  His is the only Y chromosome that has survived through the ages and every man alive today has a copy.  According to our DNA clocks, before leaving Africa, humanity stayed there some 140,000 years - as much as three quarters of our history as a species.

  • Southern Africa Matriarch

    Photograph by Jim Ball/NGT

    San matriarch living in Green Kalahari whose DNA was tested as part of the Genographic Project.  The San Bushmen of Southern Africa are universally accepted as the world's oldest genetically distinct population of humans, whose DNA markers connect them to Scientific Eve.  The Genographic Project used DNA from the San to help pinpoint some of humanity's earliest movements in Africa.

  • New Yorker Testing

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    On the most diverse street in the most diverse city in the world, a team of National Geographic scientists swab the cheeks of close to 200 random New Yorkers.  Their DNA will be used in National Geographic's Genographic Project, a five-year research partnership led by Dr. Spencer Wells, renowned international scientists, and IBM researchers.  The project aims to sample the DNA of more than 100,000 indigenous people from around the world, with the ultimate goal of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species.

  • Finding Out Their Roots

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    Necla Demerci and her husband Mehmet came to New York about three years ago from Turkey.  DNA results reveal that Necla's ancestors left Africa about 50,000 years ago wen the African drought momentarily let up, moving into Eurasia.  Mehmet discovered that half the people who carry his genetic marker are Ashkenazi Jews.

  • For Their Love

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    Irish musician Eamon Tuama, and his Korean partner, Hanna Choi, have been together for nearly four years, but Choy's family has prevented them from taking things any further.  Tuama hopes that their DNA may reveal that their ancestors may have crossed paths at some point along the way.

  • An Immigrant's Past

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    George Delis, an immigrant from Greece, has lived in New York almost his entire life. Recently retired, Delis was a district manager for the neighborhood of Astoria for almost 30 years.  Delis' DNA results suggest humans did not cross the Bering land bridge until about 14,000 years ago at the earliest.

  • The Genographic Project

    Photograph by Steve Winter

    New Yorkers who participated in the Genographic Project gather in a park just across the river from Manhattan to hear the results from their DNA tests.  The Genographic team separates the crowd into five groups, each given corresponding colored flags, according to their most recent ancestors' geographic locations.  Here, they converge in "Africa," where humanity has spent three quarters of its history as a species.

7 comments
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John B.
John B.

To say that we are all the same just flies in the face of the very data that is cited. Ashley, you contradicted yourself when you talked about environmentally induced changes to the different branches of the human family.  It's obvious just on a cursory examination that race is real and it matters. It matters in medicne, it matters in what kind of society you want to live in, it matters in temperament, it matters in forensic anthropology.  When you talk about racial differences, you are dealing with different groups taken as a whole. Anecdotal stories about this person or that person not representative of the group as a whole proves nothing. Give me the name of any scientist who is willing to go on record as saying these things are not true. Putting someone whose parents came from Ghana in the same group as caucasian Europeans is silly. You can disagree with that, but it sounds like it came right out of the non-scientific, politically correct Southern Poverty Law Center.  It's NUTSO!!

Ashley Guest
Ashley Guest like.author.displayName 1 Like

Just watched Family Tree Revealed on NatGeo and it is completely dead on.  'Some' assumptions must be made, but science can't be trumped by theory or bind faith/belief.  I have been studying and pondering these points since I was very young.  I came to the identical conclusions, but without any scientific evidence.  For instance, we all originated from the SAME place, but due to environment, geography, and climate caused changes in our skin color, facial structure, language, etc.  John Brawthen (below) in addition to abysmal grammar is the type of ignorance that is holding back the human race and keeping us in constant WAR.  We are all the SAME.  I know many hate to hear that, but facts don't lie.  The TRUTH is a....you know the rest.  WAKE UP EVERYBODY!!!!

G Wilson
G Wilson

WHAT??  You doubt the integrity of what you see on TV?   DNA tracking has proven to be a credible, scientifically accepted method of identifying individuals for numerous reasons.  Criminal evidence, family backgrounds, tracing population migrations among aboriginal people, just to name a few.  It's not intended to prove "Fairy-Tales" or to propagandize anything.  John, your grammar is abysmal.

M. Zabora
M. Zabora

@G WilsonMaybe English isn't his first language? LOL. I thought the show was fascinating. I'd love to do the genetic test, but we're saving up to take our daughter to Disney World.

Tim Birkhead
Tim Birkhead like.author.displayName 1 Like

Had my DNA traced and it does originate in Africa.  Adam and Eve were black!

John B.
John B.

The informon about human race was grossly inaccurate. In fact much of what was presented was quite silly in fact.  This show was so misleading, it was obviously intended to propaganda.